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The upcoming 2013 Chevy Malibu is making waves in the automotive blogosphere, and is shaping up to be an important car not only for America, but also a big one for Europe. The next-generation Malibu will be the first to carry the nameplate in the European market, splashing down in Europe’s equally competitive mid-size sedan segment. As European models often get diesel options, so too will the Euro-market Malibu.

In a recent press release from GM, the American automaker nonchalantly announced the Malibu’s diesel engine option for Europe. The inclusion of a diesel engine in the European version of the mid-size car should come as no surprise, as a good number of cars in Europe are already available in oil-burning flavors. Still, the recent announcement of the Chevy Cruze diesel’s stateside debut makes us wonder if a diesel Malibu will also find its way across the pond.

Dave Darovitz, Product Communications Manager for the Malibu, told us that there are currently no plans to offer a diesel engine in the U.S.-market Malibu. If that’s truly the case, it means Americans will miss out on the 2.0-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder engine European customers will enjoy in the Malibu, which produces 164 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The 2013 Chevy Cruze diesel will get a U.S.-spec version of that engine when it arrives, also displacing 2.0 liters, but expected to produce approximately 163 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque. While diesel-powered compacts may be coming back in vogue in the U.S., mid-size offerings with diesel engines could prove to be a harder sell for American audiences.

Now that Volkswagen is launching its Passat TDI in the U.S., the argument for mid-size diesels could gain some strength. Despite only having 140 hp, the Passat TDI’s 2.0-liter turbodiesel I-4 pumps out a respectable 236 lb-ft of torque and achieves 31/43 mpg (city/hwy). For those who complain about there not being enough family-sized cars that let you row your own gears, the Passat TDI also comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission.

So, seeing as Chevy is already bringing one diesel-engined car over, and Volkswagen is blazing a trail for mid-size diesels in the U.S., should the Malibu diesel get its passport approved and be offered in the U.S. as well?